19 TV Shows Everyone's Talking About Right Now

The best screen work right now is happening on television, full stop. Of course, there are some great films currently in the zeitgeist—A Quiet Place is a must-see—but in terms of variety, representation, and just good storytelling, nothing beats TV.

Which means it's pretty damn difficult to decide what to watch on any given night. The landscape is filled with so many captivating, female-driven shows that provoke, enlighten, and, ultimately, entertain. And this isn't confined to one genre either: There are just as many amazing dramas and docuseries as there are comedies. Hell, even some reality shows are bordering on prestige. These 19 shows, in particular, are the ones most likely dominating your news feeds at the moment—and rightfully so. Each is worthy of your attention for a different reason. They certainly have ours.

UnREAL* (Mondays at 10:00 P.M. ET on Lifetime)

The premise of UnREAL is juicy enough to hook even the most passive TV watcher: It follows a group of producers working on a Bachelor-esque show who manipulate contestants into being dramatic onscreen. But the show matches this addictive premise with important social issues—and the third season is no exception. By flipping the script this season and having a dozen guys compete for one "suitress" (The Bachelorette), UnREAL has been able to explore sexism like never before. Quinn's storyline in particular highlights the sheer fuckery women in power have to endure on a daily basis. This commentary, mixed with the insane reality TV drama I love and the male eye candy I'm not complaining about, has made UnREAL season three my surprise obsession this spring. —Christopher Rosa, entertainment staff writer

ER* (Every season is now streaming on Hulu.)

ER has everything I could ever want in television show: emotional drama, impeccable acting from a diverse cast, an A-list who’s who of guest stars, and George Clooney’s eye twinkle. Plus, it really holds up—even almost 25 years after it first premiered—which is probably why it’s finding a second life as one of Hulu’s biggest streaming hits. —Abby Gardner, contributing writer

Atlanta* (Thursdays at 10:00 P.M. ET on FX)

One of the best things about Atlanta’s first season was that it defied typical television conventions; you never knew what kind of episode you were going to get. (Black Justin Bieber, anyone?) Season two might have a little more plot development in the mix, but it’s still pushing creative boundaries every week. What other show on television could air entire episodes without its (excellent) star and creator Donald Glover and still be incredible and beloved? —AG

The End of the* F***ing World (now streaming on Netflix)

This is a classic Bonnie and Clyde tale…if Bonnie is a foul-mouthed teen runaway and Clyde is wondering whether or not he's a sociopath. Sounds weird—and that's because it kind of is—but at its heart this is a sweet story about two outsiders trying to find their place in the world. —Anna Moeslein, senior editor

Mom* (Thursdays at 9:00 P.M. ET on CBS)

OK, truth: When I watched the pilot of Mom back in 2013, I wasn’t that into it. But over the years whenever I did catch the show, I was always pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Then, because of an interview I was doing last year with Anna Faris, I started watching again and became obsessed. It’s one of those few sitcoms that can perfectly balance humor with heart. Plus, I’m a sucker for a smart love story, and the one between Allison Janney’s Bonnie and William Fichtner’s Adam is so good. —Jessica Radloff, west coast editor

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver* (Sundays at 11:00 P.M. ET on HBO)

John Oliver has been killing it this season. Just some things he's done in 2018: created a bestselling children's book about Mike Pence's gay rabbit Marlon Bundo, run for prime minister in the Italian election, and taken our country's deeply flawed immigration court system to task. I'm a lot less concerned about the state of the world as long as Oliver's in it. —AM

Queer Eye* (now streaming on Netflix)

About halfway through the first episode of Netflix's Queer Eye reboot, I realized I had a huge grin on my face—one that had been there pretty much since the opening credits. Who gave Netflix permission?! The new Fab Five exude such joy, as well as a sincere desire to make people feel like the best versions of themselves—without losing themselves in the "transformation." I re-watch it when I need to be reminded that there's good in the world. Where the hell was I before "Can you believe?" —Ana Colón, digital fashion editor

One Day at a Time* (now streaming on Netflix)

I'll admit that going into One Day at a Time, I didn't know how much seeing a modern Latina family represented on a sitcom would mean to me. I watch a lot of television—and I mean…a lot—but One Day at a Time is special: It's deeply personal to me, both in its story lines and in its humor. (I'll never not laugh at a joke where Fabuloso is the punch line.) Rita Moreno's Lydia reminds me of my grandmother, and Isabella Gomez's Elena makes me think of my best friend, who also watches the show. One Day at a Time has made me giggle; it's made me cry; and it's reminded me of home when I've needed it most. —AC

Riverdale* (Wednesdays at 8:00 P.M. ET on The CW)

Riverdale is off the rails this season, but honestly that's what makes it so good. The soap-operatic, dramatic lives of the teens from the Archie Comics series have been rocked by masked serial killers, gay conversion therapy, and Mark Consuelos. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. If you're looking for a dark teen drama to fill the Pretty Little Liars-shaped hole in your heart, this one's it. Binge the first season on Netflix, and then catch up for season two. You'll arrive just in time for the musical episode. (Yes, there's going to be a musical episode.) —CR

On My Block* (now streaming on Netflix)

Thank you, Twitter, for introducing me to On My Block. If it weren’t for people constantly posting about the show, I never would have known it existed. On My Block is a hilarious, heartwarming series about four teens who live in a rough area of Los Angeles trying to keep their friend group together as they enter high school. I love how diverse the cast is. Too many times I’ve seen series based in Los Angeles or New York City where everyone is white, and it’s completely unrealistic. What also makes this one a must-watch is the love and care the core four have for each other. The problems these teens face are realistic and dangerous, yes, but they face them together—with some humor on the side. —Khaliha Hawkins, digital assistant

Roseanne* (Tuesdays at 8:00 P.M. ET on ABC)

While I certainly don’t agree with the views of Roseanne Barr—or often Roseanne Conner, for that matter—Roseanne is becoming one of the few shows I have to watch live. The writing is whip-smart, and I love seeing how Becky, Darlene, DJ, and the rest of the characters have evolved after 20 years. I’m living for the moment when Johnny Galecki’s David makes his return as Darlene’s ex. —JR

Sweetbitter* (premieres May 6 at 8:30 P.M. ET on Starz)

In addition to the endless pre-praise I'd been hearing, I was looking forward to the 2016 release of Stephanie Danler's novel Sweetbitter because it aligned with my interests: New York City in the nineties, but also the New York City culinary scene in the nineties. I found the book—loosely based on the author's experience working at Danny Meyer's Union Square Cafe and finding herself in the process—to be really enjoyable, if a bit reliant on stock personae (of course the hot, emotionally untouchable "bad boy" bartender rides a motorcycle, sleeps on a futon, and is a philosophy Ph.D. dropout).

I was extra excited when I heard it was being adapted into an original TV series because it's one of the few recent books I've read that I think could benefit from more: more detail on the characters' lives, more detail on the competitive nature of working in an elite restaurant, more detail on Jake and Simone's connection (not a spoiler).

I'm also glad it's on Starz, a network that has been doing some really quality programming and has created two of my all-time favorite shows: season one of The Girlfriend Experience and the twisted ballet drama Flesh and Bone. —Perrie Samotin, deputy editor

A Series of Unfortunate Events* (now streaming on Netflix)

The second season of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is this spring’s best book-to-television-streaming adaptation, IMO. Orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire spend these next 10 episodes of their (mis)adventure outrunning a villain with an eye on their inheritance and unraveling the mystery of a secret organization connected with their parents’ deaths. This plot might sound like the foundations of a Very Serious Drama, but it works as a dark comedy that fellow language arts nerds will love. The Baudelaires drop references Dante’s Inferno one minute and the Spice Girls the next, and there isn’t a pun this series will pass up. (For example: The Baudelaire’s prep school mascot in episode one is a dead horse…because it can’t be beat.) Like the first, season two strikes a balance between the macabre and the absurd that can make me laugh even at the darkest moments—and as you’d guess from the title, there’s plenty of that to go around. —Halie LeSavage, fashion features assistant

Wild Wild Country* (now streaming on Netflix)

If you're not watching Wild Wild Country, the stranger-than-fiction recounting of what actually happened when a spiritual guru from India and his band of devoted followers overtook a small town in Oregon in the eighties, I can't know you. It's like if Serial, Dirty John, and Making a Murderer had a baby. And that baby was thousands of radicalized hotties making their own sex-positive ecosystem in the middle of the Beaver State. Warning: There is no way to stop watching this docuseries once you start. —Justine Harman, features director

Westworld* (Season two premieres Sunday, April 22, at 9:00 P.M. ET on HBO)

Westworld is one of those shows that no matter how long the delay is between seasons, you’ll patiently wait for. It’s been almost two years since season one premiered, but the lengthy hiatus was worth it as soon as the trailer for season two dropped. At the center are Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) and Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton), two characters (and the actors who play them) that have such depth. They can make you feel all the things with just a facial expression. Where are their Emmys!? —KH

The Real Housewives of New York City* (Wednesdays at 9:00 P.M. ET on Bravo)

Honestly, WTF happened during RHONY's season 10 premiere on April 4? Dorinda drank 2,000 "orange, bubbly drinks" and kept repeating Andy Samberg's name; Tinsley's dog peed all over her apartment, and she just sat there and ate charcuterie; and Luann wore a problematic costume I can't even talk about. Interspersed was Sonja being uncharacteristically silent and detached at Dorinda's Halloween party and Ramona arguing with Bethenny about highways. Bottom line, it was 42 minutes of bonkers TV—and there's plenty more to come. I mean, we haven't even gotten to the "Boat Ride From Hell" yet. —CR

Suits* (Wednesdays at 9:00 P.M. ET on USA Network)

As someone who recently binged every season of Suits, in honor of soon-to-be-Duchess Meghan Markle, I can say with all sincerity that the entire cast of this show is a charming delight. In her final episodes, we’re going to get to watch Markle’s Rachel Zane plan her dream wedding (while also being a kick-ass lawyer)—and I don’t think I’ll be alone in imagining her onscreen fiancé Mike Ross as a stand-in for a certain handsome ginger prince. —AG

Vanderpump Rules* (Mondays at 9:00 P.M. ET on Bravo)

A reality series about a group of West Hollywood restaurant employees drinking tequila shots, fighting about pasta, and sucking each other's toes might not sound like the most compelling television, but trust me on this. Even Rihanna's on board. —AM